The Queen sends condolences to NZ after earthquake

The British royal family has sent a letter to New Zealand offering their condolences to the families and businesses affected by Monday's magnitude-7.5 earthquake.

Queen Elizabeth wrote that she and Prince Philip were "shocked" to hear the news of the earthquake.

"I send my condolences to the families of those who were killed and to the people whose homes and businesses have been affected."Our thoughts are with you at this time."

Mt Lyford woman Jo-Anne Mackinnon died of a suspected heart attack when the quake hit just after midnight on Monday morning, and Kaikoura man Louis Edgar was killed when his family's homestead collapsed.